The UN’s latest major climate report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – the IPCC WG1 – evidence displaying the “physical science basis” for climate change’s effect on monsoons. India, like many countries, relies on this seasonal rainfall for the sustenance of livelihoods, food supplies, and the upkeep of ways of life […]
flooding
Five must-know facts about cloudburst weather events
With the frequency of cloudbursts events increasing over India’s Himalayan region and beyond, experts consider this to be direct evidence of the impact of climate change on weather systems. These events that are often difficult to predict have occurred across Jammu, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, dramatically increasing the threat of floods that have the […]
Jammu and Kashmir flooding the latest evidence of climate change affecting rainfall in India
Over two weeks after flash floods devastated Jammu and Kashmir, leaving seven dead and nineteen missing, India is once again coming to terms with the threat posed by cloudburst events. In the aftermath of the flash floods that sent mud, rocks, and other debris crashing through the community causing widespread damage and fatalities, local officials […]
Rainfall: Deadly Mumbai downpours highlight climate change’s continued scourge
Torrential rainfall in Mumbai has left dozens of people dead and many without drinking water. As of Monday morning, the city recorded more than 250 millimetres of rain in the preceding 24 hours. The deadly Mumbai rains resulted in a landslide, causing considerable damage and loss of life. The Chembur suburb witnessed 21 deaths and […]
What is being done to help the Bay of Bengal adapt to the threat of climate change?
India’s vulnerability to climate change is well-known among scientists and to most members of the lay public. Climate modeling from the Ministry of Earth Sciences amongst other agencies display projections that serve to underline how susceptible it is to climate change risks. Whilst more regional projections can sometimes become less certain, the risks for the […]
Natural disasters: How much do they cost?
In an era of climate change driving extreme weather patterns, natural disasters seem to be becoming the norm. Indeed, recent months have seen the eyes of the world captivated by wildfires ravaging Australia – the country’s worst in decades. India is no stranger to environmental catastrophes and extreme weather patterns, witnessing calamities ranging from heatwaves […]
Child health: How climate change will affect it
“A child born today will experience a world that is more than four degrees warmer than the pre-industrial average, with climate change impacting human health from infancy and adolescence to adulthood and old age,” reads a report published yesterday by The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change – lending a chilling insight into the […]
Dengue fever outbreak fears in Bihar
Amidst fears of a dengue fever outbreak in Bihar state capital Patna, the state health department is readying itself. Waterlogged following a period of heavy rainfall, Patna has registered almost 250 dengue cases since September 27th – compared to 409 cases registered between January 1st and September 27th. Across the state, flooding has affected 1,400 […]
The monsoon season may officially be over – but rains continue to hit hard
India’s monsoon season officially ended on September 30th, but heavy rains continue to batter large portions of the country leaving death and destruction in their wake. Rainfall due to the extended monsoon season reached a 25-year high, with scores of people losing their lives. At the time of writing, heavy rains have killed 148 people […]
Rising sea levels: What they mean for India
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released another report warning of the dangers of our changing climate. This time, the body has warned that the trend of rising sea levels is ocurring faster than we first thought – news which carries significant implications for India. “The ocean is warmer, more acidic […]